THE month’s mind Mass for murdered Ardara publican and community stalwart Stephen McCahill will take place later this month.
Mr McCahill (65), a father-of-two, who co-owed the Corner House pub in Ardara, died following a violent attack at his home at Beagh in the early hours of Monday, January 5.
Michael Maloney, 32, of Loughross Point, Ardara, appeared before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on January 6 charged with Mr McCahill’s murder.
The charge is Contrary to Common Law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1964.
Maloney was remanded in custody in Castlerea Prison. He is due to appear before Letterkenny District Court again on Monday.
Mr McCahill’s month’s mind Mass will take place in the Church of the Holy Family, Ardara, on Sunday, February 22 at 11am.
The pews of Church Of The Holy Family were packed in January as the community of Ardara and beyond gathered to bid farewell.
The funeral cortege passed through his hometown, making its way past the Corner House Bar, where floral tributes were lined outside the building.
Stephen’s coffin, draped in the Ardara GAA flag, was met with a guard of honour from his beloved club, as the popular businessman, who was well-known as ‘Mr Ardara’, was brought to his final resting place.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Aodhan Cannon and con-celebrated by Msgr Kevin Gillespie, Fr Philip Daly, Fr Gerard Cunningham, Fr Maurice McGill, Fr Adrian Gavigan and Fr Martin Doohan.
Fr Cannon spoke of how the community in Ardara had been plunged into darkness following the tragic loss of Stephen.
He also addressed the anger, intense grief and unanswered questions that followed.
“With Stephen’s death a light had gone out for all of us,” Fr Cannon had said.
“This is not how it should be. This is not what god desires for his children.”
